Cartridge belt link



Sept 1949- R. s. SANFORD ETAL 2,480,972

CARTRIDGE BELT LINK Filed Nov. 15, 1945 2 Shecs-Sheet 1 I J JVENTORS. wfww az ayww c Sept. 6,1949. R. SSANFORD ETAL.

CARTRIDGE BELT LINK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 13, 1945 kLD {VENTOR v BY. I

ja wmwb Patented Sept. 6 1949 Roy S. Sanford, Woodbury, and William J.

Andres, Waterbury, Conn., assignors to The Incorporated, Oakville, .Conn a corporation of Connecticut Application November 13, 1945, Serial No. 628,207

Autoyre Company,

,- I i 1 f I This invention relates to cartridge belt links adapted to be assembled with cartridges to form disintegrating ammunition belts, more particularly to multiple part cartridge belt links having an improved swivel connection between the link parts, and it is anobject of the invention to provide an improved-cartridge belt link of this character. i l

Rapid fire guns such as machine guns and automatic cannon, for example, are fed with ammunition supplied to the'gun by an ammunition belt which is of a disintegrating character, such beltsbeing long in order tohold the necessary number of rounds of ammunition. The rapid fire guns are mounted on moving as well as stationary platforms and are provided with carriages movable both in azimuth andlelevatio'n so as to fire efifectively' at either moving or station ary targets. The guns, particularly those mount ed on moving platforms, have limited space for maneuvering and the relatively large quantities of ammunition in belts must be placed ,so as not to interfere with the gunners-manipulations, must feed properly into-the gun and yet be relatively easily accessible for replacement and service. It'is well recognized that ammunition belts to meet the rigorous requirements must have certain requisites of flexibility in a number of planes at right angles to each other so as to permit the cartridges held thereby to twist and turn relative to eachother to move around feed and guide chutes and rollers and still' maintain the pitch distance between cartridgeswithin certain limits in order that the feed pawls may properly grip the cartridges. 1 i

Cartridge belt linksfor use in rapid fire guns have heretofore been provided in which cooperating interfitting portions of adjacent links formed the hinge for holdingadjacent links to- I gether and for theturning of cartridges in planes at right angles to their axes to'permit turning of cartridges around feed and guide rollers or chutes. In one well known type of such a cartridge belt link, a single cartridge gripping arcuate loopis provided for gripping a cartridge adjacent its base end. Spaced immediately adjacent the grippingloop'there is a substantially semicylindrical portion somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the cartridge forming an internal arcuate track, and spaced immediately adjacent the semicylindrical portion orr'the side opposite to the gripping loop there is an arcuate'c'artridge guide. Attached at one side of the semicylindrical portion by means of a pin and slot connection there is a second semicylindrical part slightly larger z 1 7- Claims.

than the diameter of the cartridge and having semicylindrical portions of a diameter so as tobe easily receivable in the internal arcuate track portion of an adjacent link.

Certain types of guns require the use of a cartridge belt link in which the cartridges are stripped laterally from the links of the belt rather than being pushedthrough or pulled from the link. Links capable of use in such applications.

must of necessity be open links. Accordingly it is a further object of'the invention to provide an improved cartridge belt link of the laterally stripping character having an improved swivel connection between the link parts which maintains the pitch distance between cartridges and restrains movement of the cartridges out of line.

In carrying out the invention in one form a cartridge belt-link is provided comprising a. first cartridge receiving part and a second cartridge receiving part. One of the cartridge receiving parts includes a pair of slots at one side, the outer edges of which define a pair of guides, and the other of the parts includes a pair of tongues extending therefrom and terminating in a pair of lugs, at least one of the tongues being resiliently formed. The tongues extend through the slots and are biased intocontact with the outer edges of the slots for joining the two parts to- 'getherf More particularly the cartridge belt link comprises a first part having a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track and a second part having a substantially semicylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the first and second parts facing in the'same direction, One of the semicylindrical portions includes a pair of-longitudinal slots adjacent'one side, and the other of thesemicylindrical portions includes apair of tongues terminating in a pair of outwardly projecting lugs, the tongues extending through the slots to connect the first and second parts together. One of the tongues is resiliently formed thereby to bias both of said tongues into contact with the edges of the slots for resiliently restraining relative twisting movement of the parts. The internal arcuate trackof the first part has substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portion of the second part, whereby the internal arcuate tr ack adapted ,to receive in nesting position the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical,

portion of the second part. i 'j :For a, more complete understanding of the invention, reference should now be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one part of a cartridge belt link embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the cartridge belt link part shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional-view taken substantially along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end view taken in the direction of arrows 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig.- 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along lines 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of another part of a cartridge belt link embodying the invention;

link part shown in Fig. 6; t

Fig. 8 is a Sectional view taken substantially along lines 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantiall along lines 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the cartridge belt link with the two parts assembled together;

I Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a pairof cartridge belt links assembled into an ammunition belt, the cartridges being shown in outline;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along lines I2-I2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 1-3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrows |3-|3 of Fig. 11, the dotted portion indicating the relative position of the link parts when the links are twisted;

Fig. 14 is a view taken in the direction of the arrows I'd-I4 of Fig. 13 when the link parts are canted relative to each other; and

Fig. 15 is a view taken in the direction of the arrows |5 |5 of Fig. 13 with the link parts canted in the same direction as for Fig. 14.

Referring more, particularly to the drawings, the invention is embodiedin a cartridge belt link H3 including two cartridge receiving parts and i2 (Fig. 10) connected together so as to have a limited degree of restrained movement relative to each other, similar cartridge belt links being assembled together with a portion of the part |2 of one link interfitting with the cooperating portion of part I I of an adjacent link to form a completed ammunition belt, e. g., Fig. 11. t 7 e The cartridge receiving part II comprises two cartridge engaging or gripping arcuate loops I3 and i G and a portion I5 disposed between and connecting the arcuate loops (Figs. 1 and 2), the loop l being attached directly to the portion I5 while the loop is is spaced from portion l5 by means of an integrally formed bridging member I6. The portion I5 and arcuate loops |3 and I l are spaced along the axis of the cartridge so thatloop I3 grips the base portion of a cartridge, and loop I4 grips the forward end of the cartridge, the portion I 5 embodyin within itself means to be connected with the second cartridge receiving part I2 and also means to cooperate with a portion of an adjacent link to permit relative turning of adjacent cartridges in an ammuntion belt composed of the'links.

The cartridge gripping loop I 3 comprises a pair of arcuately formed spring fingers or tongues I1 and I8 extending downward'lyfrom a flat connec'tingmember l9 (Fig. 5). The fingers I"! and 18 extend arcuately from fiat member I9 and span'over an arc of greater than 180 so as to surround the greater portion of a cartridge to form an adequate holding a're'a, the ends of the tongues being provided' w'ith curved lugs ZI 'and 22 respectively which define a space "or opening Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the cartridge belt 4 between them through which the cartridge is moved during its stripping from a cartridge belt. The arcuate fingers I1 and I8 are circular in form and have a diameter somewhat smaller than the cartridge held thereby so that the cartridge will be tightly gripped. To conform to the contour of a cartridge, fingers I"! and I8 taper from the left to right (Fig. 1) so that these fingers will engage the cartridge along their full length, the

fingers having substantial length which may, for

to lugs 2| and 22 terminate in upwardly extending portions 26 and 2! which terminates in the flat portion I9. Portions 26 and 21 and fiat portion I9 in effect form an embossment from which arcuate fingers I1 and I8 extend, thereby forming arelatively flexible and resilient connection of fingers l1 and I8 with fiat portion I9, and at the same time providing a longitudinally rigid structure.

Durin the formation of link part II, the arcuate fingers are bent and shaped as described and are heat treated to impartthe requisite spring resiliency whereby these fingers firmly grip the cartridge. Adjacent curved lugs 2| and 22 ward the rear of fingers I1 and I8, inwardly directed lugs 23 and 24 are provided, and the flat member I9 is provided with aninwardly directed lug 25, the lugs 23, 24 and'25 being adapted to lie in the extractor groove of a cartridge, as shown best in Fig. 11. The lugs 23, 24 and 25 may be formed by a suitable stamping operation for example, the front edge of lugs 23 and 24 being directed forwardly so as to engage one edge of the extractor groove and the inward edge of lug 25 being, directed rearwardly soas to engage the other edge of the extractor groove. In this manner a cartridge being held by arcuate fingers and |8 is prevented from moving either rearwardly or forwardly during the movements of the ammunition belt. 7

The cartridge gripping loop M at the end of r the link opposite to cartridge gripping loop I3 constitutes a pair of arcuate resilient fingers 28 and 29 (Fig.4 terminating in outwardly directed lugs 3| and 32 defining an opening be tween them through which the cartridge held thereby is stripped from the. cartridge belt link, the opening extending inthe same direction as the; opening definedby lugs 2| and 22. The arcuate fingers 28 and 29 are circular in form and havea diameter somewhat less than that of the portion of the cartridge held thereby and are resiliently formed so asto firmly grip the cartridge, the ends o'f theselfingers having a't'otal arcuate extent of substantially greater than When a cartridge is stripped laterally from link, the fingers 2 3 and 2 9 are spread apart which movement is permitted by cutting or slitting'the inner edges of'fin gers'28 and 2.9 from the central portion |'5' of the link} This is shown best by the broken lines 33 and 34 of Fig. 4, the cuts orslits extending along the fingers 28 and 29130 thedrilled or punched holes 35 and 36. The strip3'I- of loop ll lying between holes 35 and 36 is solid with'mem'ber I5 and extends over a substantial length thereby to hold loop l4 and con sequently fingers-28 and 29 to the link. To stifien fingers 28 and 29, embossmentsf3B and '40 are provided adjacent holes 35 and 36.

. The central portion 5 lying between the cartridge gripping loops I3 and I4 is semicylin dricalinform and includes a pair of spaced apart and IB.

substantially semicircular cup like ;members-39 and 4| These semicircular members terminate in the ends respectively 42,. 42a and 43, 43a lying somewhat beyond the semicircular point and de-' fine a space or opening between them which is in line with the openingformed by lugs 2| and 22, and lugs 3| and 32, as shown best in Figs. 3 and 4. semicircular member 4| includes a longitudinally directed portion 44 which is joined tocartridge gripping loop M by a flange 45. Thelongitudinal portion 44 is larger in diameter than cartridge gripping loop M by the amount of the radial extent of flange 45, theflange 45and the-longitudinal portion 44 forming an internal arcuate track for a purpose to;.be,described., Similarly, semicircular member 39 includes a horizontallydirected portion 46 and a flange 41, these ,two members also providing an internal arcuate track fora purpose to be described. 1T0 permit pivoting of one link relative to an adjacent link, as will be more fully explained subsequently in this specification, the central portionu|5 of the link is providedwith a slot '48 lying, between semicircular portions 36 and 4|, theslotbeginning with the ends 42 and43 and extending somewhat beyond the top of the link as shown. The central portion l5 at the side thereof, and beginning with the end of slot 48, is provided with.a substantially rectangular projection or embossment 53 which projects beyondthe horizontally directed portions 44 and 46 so as to form a space betwen the-embossment and a cooperating link part in the completed link. The base of the-em bossment 53 is provided with a pair of slots 54 and 55 separated by a strip ofmetal 58, the slots beingzdirected longitudinally and being provided with curved outer edges 56 and 51 as shownbest in Fig.1 2. The flange 41 terminates in an'arcuate portion 49 which has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cartridge passing therethrough at that point. 7 Consequently, arcuate portion 49 has a diameter determined by the continuation of the taper of arcuate tongues The bridge member I6 joining cartridgeigripf "ping loop I3 and the central portion [5 is ar ranged diametrically opposite to the openings defined by lugs 3| and 32 and lugs2| and 22, extends from the right hand edgeof member l3 to the left hand .edge of portion 49 (Fig. 1), and is provided with embossments 5| and 52 which extend from the lug 25 to the semicircular portion 39. Bridge. member |6 is raised above the-flat portion l9 and cartridge gripping member |3 as shown best in Figs. 2 and 5, thereby to provide a space, between the under edge thereof and the surface of a cartridge held by the link to receive a stripping cam on the gun for stripping the cartridge from the link, the embossments .5.| and 52 imparting sufiicient stiffness to the link so that unwarranted deformations do not occur during use.

'In Figs. 6, '7 and 8, the second, cartridge receiving part '|2of link I6 is shown also as an arcuate member or loop having an arcuate extent of greater than one hundred and eighty degrees, the ends 59 and 6| of this member (Fig-8) de fining a space or opening betweenthem which, in the assembled condition of the cartridge link parts,.faces'in the'same directionas the openings defined by lugs2| and 22 of link part I. Link. part .|2 includes a central or body portion 62 having a diameter slightly greater than the portionof the cartridge received therein and circular flanges 63 and64 at the sides thereof, the diameter:

of flanges 63 and 64 being greater than'that of central portion 62 and being slightlydess than the internal diameter of portions 46 and of link part II. The axial '(i. .e. axial of a cartridge held by the link part) or;longitudinal extent of this link part between the outer edges of flanges 63 and E lis slightly smaller than thelongitudinal distance between the circular flanges 45 and 41 of link part I Accordingly, the link part or loop l2 of an adjacent link is relatively loosely receivable within the substantially semicylindrical portion l5 of link part III, the flanges corresponding to flanges 63 and 64 riding upon theinternal surfaces of horizontally directed semicircular portions 44 and 46 and being held against axial movement by contact or flanges corresponding to 63.

and against flanges45 and 41. Thus the portions 39 and 4| form an internal arcuate track to receive in; nesting relationship the loop 2 ofan adjacent cartridge link. l

Extending from end 59 of loop l2, thereis a reversely bent tongue 65 having a finger 66 extending outwardlytherefromand terminating in a lug 6! projecting at right angles to finger 66. Beginning adjacent end 6|, and arcuately extendi g throughout the greater portion of link part l2, there is a tongue 68 separated from the body 62 by means of slots 69' and 'H,;tongue 68.;terminating in a finger 12 which projectsoutwardly in the same direction as finger 66;and terminates. in a lug 13 lying at right angles to finger 12. The tongue 68 is resiliently formed and is biased out- Wardly so that in the unstressed position it-takes the position-shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 8. The lug i3 is flat and lies parallel to the axis. of

loop l2, whereas the lug 61 is V-shaped in cross section as is shown best in Fig. 9, the apex l5 0 the V being at the center of the lug.- V jv To assemble the link parts II and I2 together into a completed link (Fig. 10), lug 61 and finger. 66 are inserted into slot 54 with the outer edge of finger 66 engaging the curved edge 56 of this link parts H and I2, as would occur during theuse of ammunition belt, will force lug'l3 into flat.

contact with the inside surface .of embossment 53 adjacent curved edge 51 and willforce the apex T5 of lug 61 into single point contact with the inside surface -of embossment 53 adjacent curved edge 56. (See Figs. 12 and 15.) The V-shaped cross section of lug 61, the resiliency of tongue 68, together withthe curved edges 56 and 51,

result in a cartridge belt link havinga limited or restrained degree of twisting and turning movements, as will be more completely described.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12 there is shown a portion of an ammunition belt comprisihg the link I6 including the link parts H and I2, and a.

link 16 comprising link parts l1 and I8 corre sponding respectively to link parts H and I2. The link part 11 is identical to link part II and includes a cartridge gripping loop 2'9, a cartridge,

gripping loop 80, and a central portion 8| corresponding to the central portion l5 of link part and 83, each of which defines an internal arcuate The central portion 6| is semicylindrical form andincludes the semicircularportions -82" ascents traclsof the same dimensions and in the same manner as correspondin portions 39 and M or link part It. Toassemblelinks in and 18 to gether, -the part I 2 of link Wis placed withinoentral pcr-tion 8icflirlk 16 so that the flanges- 63 and I of linkpal-t 'fi fi t the internal arcuate tracks formed' by the semicircular members and 83;- A slot; 84 similar 130 S161? 48 f link-part H separates tl l'- members 82 8.116 8: and since: the longitudinal dimensions as well as the diameter of link part M are slightly less than the corresponding internal dimensions of link part 81,- it Willbe clear that link part l2- may rotate withinli-nk part- 8|, the flanges 63 and Btrid-ing" upon the inner surfaces or semi- Giiculah members 81 and 83. Relative longitudinalmovement' oflinks l6 and lo-is prevented by the edgesof-fiangesfi'aand bearing against" the circular flanges of" semicircular members- 82 and 83.

The links H) and 16 are prevented from comme apart. after link part I2' is laced within central portion 8i of link 16 by the insertion of acartridge into link so that the extractor groove is engaged by the inwardly projecting lugs as shown, the. cartridge gripping loop i3 grips the base portion of the cartridge, and the cartridge gripping loop 80 grips the forward end of the cartridge, the link part l2 being slightly larger than the cartridge received within the link.

Referring to Fig. 1 2', it will be clear that so long as the cartridge is'gripped within the grippin-g loops 19' and 8B, the link part [2' cannot comeout of'- its internal nesting relationship with central part 81-. However, the link part 17 may turn-on its axis relative to link part l2 by virtue' of the flanges'tils and 64 of link part l2 rotating within arcaute portions 82 and 83. The rotation on its axis of link part 11 r'elativetolink part 12 permits the cartridge belt and assembledcar tridges-to turn in a circleso as to bend aroundfeed rollers, for example. This rotation or bend ing" movement is illustrated in Figs. '7 and'Bo'f the 'copending application, Serial No; 542,559, Patented'No. 2,426,527, filed June 28, 194.4, en titled Cartridge belt link and" assigned to the same assignee' as the present invention.

' During use of the cartridge belt link it isneces sary that the ammunitionbelt be capable" of oer tain other twisting and turning movements as is well understood. Commonly these movements may be divided'into two groups, the first of which may be -designateda's torsion or twisting, and-theother may be designated as turning or earning. Th first'of' these movements may be exemplified byvisuali'zing' a pair of cartridge belt links, such for'example as links In and 16, and the assem bled cartridges rotating relative'to each other sothat the axes of these links rotate in planes parallel to each other and hence perpendicular tothe axis of the cartridge" belt. This movement'broadly is illustrated in Figs. 9 and if) of the" copending" application Serial No. 469,679; Patent'No: 2,390,331, filed December 21, 1942', en-

titled Cartridge belt link, and assigned to' the same assignee as the present invention. The.

construction of slots" 54 and 55 and the outer curved edges 56 and 51 thereof, along with the construction of fingers 66 and 12in the assem bled. link, during torsion or twisting of the link parts, willeffect rotation of lugs 61 and 13, togethenwith the fingersfifi and'lZ; from the posii ti onshown by the solid. lines inFlg. 13 to :the pe sition shown by the dottedlin'es- During this IliaL-pOSltlOn;

movement,- fingers stand. 12 are movediout of two point contact with corresponding curved edges 56 and 51 and: into-single point contact therewith. Thefinger T2 beingreslliently biased outward by tongue tends to return the fingers 6G aud winto-two point contact, the edges of these fingers moving along the curved surfaces: 56 and 51', as may be visualized from Fig. 13.. Furthermore, torsionof the links moving the lugs'fi'l and 13 into positions shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 13 moves thev fingers 66 and 12' closer to each other; thereby tending to increase the deflection oitongue 68' and further tending to return fingers 66andl2 and hence the link art :2 into its her: Accordingly, when a series of as sembled linksandcartridges are suspended be-- tweenztwo pointsand some external force is ap' plied thereto, and as a result the cartridges t'er id to move-out of line with the remaining cartridge in the ammunition bolt, the resiliency of tongue 68 causes the-cartridges to resist such torsion and to return to the normal straight line position when the external force is removed. Thus, while the-cartridges may move out of line in order to accommodate themselves to feed rolls and guide chutes, or because of a shock appliedtothem for example, the cartridges will return to their normal position thereby reducing theforce necessary to pull the cartridges along. I

The secondtype of movement of assembled cartridges and links, i;e., turning or canting may-be visualized" by considering a series of cartridges lyingflat'on a plane surface and being'bent so that the noses or the bases of the cartridges point to the center'oi a circle. This movement is illustrated in Fig. f the copending application Serial No; 469,679 above-referred to. Considering links Hand 16 (Fig;- 11-) rotated intosuch a circular configuration, it will be apparent that link part l2='pivots--around the apex 15 of lug 61 since the apex '15 bearsaga'inst the base of embossment' 53 adjoining curved edge 56. The flat portion of lug 61 t'othe left of'apex 15 in Fig. 15 tendstolie parallel to the surface adjacent curved edge 56, this being the position when the maximum amount of-canting of two adjacent cartridge beltlinks has been reached and lug 13 of link part 12 will pivot about 'one'edge 'as'shown for example in Fig. 14. During canting' movements, since apex 15 bears against the-base of the embossment 53, link part [2 can pivot relatively easily about link part H thereby reducing the forcenecessary to rotate-the cartridges in this manner around guide chutes for example. Furthermore, since the pivoting takes place about apex IE-and the apex T5 is fixed relative to link part I2, it is apparent that the pitch distance between adjacent cartridges is fixed at all times. After'cartridges havernoved away from points where canting occurs, it is desirable that thecartridges return to the normal straight line position. The lug ls'b'eing flat, causing it to rise on one edge as shown in Fig. 14 during canting movements, tends to move to its fiat position when the force causing the links to rotate in this fashion is removed,.and since the-lug 13 is of relatively large dimensions, the cartridges tend to remain in thestraight line position. Hence, during canting movement an easy pivoting movement is obtained a through. the tapered'lug 61, and during'straight 'The cartridges are stripped laterally from the links, which is accomplished by 'a' stripping cam engaging beneath the bridge I6 and above the cartridges. As the cartridges move along, the cam moves betweena particular cartridge and the assembled link forcing the cartridge down and {causing the gripping fingers Z8 and 29, and I7 and [8 to move apart to allow the cartridge to be stripped from the link.

While we have shown a particular embodiment of our invention, it will be understood. of course, that we do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and we, therefore,-contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications asfall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire'to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.- A cartridge belt link [comprising a first cartridge receiving part, anda second cartridge rev ceivin'g-part, one of said parts including a pair of longitudinal slots having outer curved edges and the other of said parts'including a'pair of flat longitudinally disposed tongues extending therefrom 'atleast one of which is resiliently formed, each of saidpair 'oftongues terminating in an outwardly projecting lug, one of said Iugsbeing bent angularly from the center thereof to form a tilting surface, said fiat tongues extending through said slots whereb the center of said one lug and the other lug engage said one part adjacent said curved edges for holding said parts'together and said fiat tongues engage said curved edges at two points for'r'esil'ie ntly restraining relative twisting movement of said parts, the center of said tilting surf-ace engaging said one part to permit relative tilting ofsaid parts- 1 2. A cartridge belt-link'comprising afirst arcuate cartridge receivingpart, a second arcuate cartridge receiving part,one of said parts including a pair of longitudinal slots having outer curved edges, an arcuate tongue extending a substantial distance around'the other of said arcuate parts and attached thereto atone end thereby to impart resiliency to said tongue, a fiat finger extending from said tongue at the other end, a second finger extending from said other arcuate part, and lugs projecting outwardly from each of said fingers, said fingers extending through said slots whereby said lugs engage said one part adjacent said curved edges for holding said parts together and said fingers engage said curvededges for resiliently restraining relative twisting movement of said parts. I

- 3. A cartridge belt link of the character cooperating with other similar links to form a disintegrating cartridge belt' comprising a, first part having a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal track, a second part having a substantially semicylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of said parts facing in the same direction, one of said semicylindrical portions including a pairoi longitudinal slotsadjacent one edge, and a'pair of tongues terminating in a 'pair of outwardly projecting lugs extending from the other of said parts through said slots to connect said first and second parts together, one of said tongues being resiliently formed thereby to bias said tongues into contact with the edges of said slots for resiliently restraining relative twisting movement of said parts, said internaltrack being of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portion, oi saidsecond part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in nesting' relation the'semicylindrical portion of an adjacentlink correspondingto the semicylindrical portion of said second part. 7

' fl. A cartridge belt link of the character cooperating with other similar links to forma disintegrating cartridge belt comprising a first part having asubstantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track, a second part having a substantially"semi-cylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions offsaid parts facing in the same direction, oneof said semicylindrical portions including a pair of longitudinal slots adjacent one edge, said slots having-outer-curved edges, and a pair of longitudinally flat tongues terminating in a pair of outwardly projecting lugs extending from the other of said parts through said slots, said lugs engaging said one part adjacent said curved edges to connect said parts together, at least one of said tongues being resiliently formed therebyto bias said fiat tongues into two point contact with said curved edges for resiliently restraining relative twisting movementof said parts, said internal track being ofsubstantially 'the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portionof said'second'part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of said'second part. 7

5. A cartridge belt link of the character cooperating with other similar links to form a dlsintee grating cartridge belt comprising a first part having'a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track, a second part having a substantially semicylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of saidparts facing in the same direction, one of said semicylindrical portions including a pair of longitudinal slots adjacent one edge, said slots havin outer curved edges, and a pair of longitudinally fiat tongues terminating in a pair of outwardly projecting lugs extending from the other of said parts through said slots, one of said tongues being resiliently formed for resiliently biasing said flat tongues into two point contact with said curved edges to resiliently restrain relative twisting movement of said parts, one of said lugs being bent angularly from the center thereof to 'form a tilting surface, said lugs engaging said one part adjacent said curved edges to connect said parts together, whereby said parts are tiltable relative to each other about the center of said tilting surface, said internal track being of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portion of said second part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of said second part.

6. A cartridge belt link of the character cooperating with other similar links to form a disintegrating cartridge belt comprising a first part having a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track, a second part having a substantially semicylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of said parts facing in the same direction, one of said semicylindrical portions including a pair of longitudinal slots adjacent one edge, said slots having outer curved edges, a resilient arcuate tongue extending a substantial distance around the other of said semicylindrical portions and attached thereto at one end, a fiat finger extending from said tongue at the other end, a second finger extending from the other of said semicylindrical portions, and a lug extendin outwardly from each of said fingers, said fingers extending through-said slots wherebysaid lugs engage said one part adjacent-said curved edges to connect said parts, said resilient tongue biasing said fingers into two point contact with said curved edges to resiliently restrain relative twisting movement of said parts,- said internal .track being of substantiallythe same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrlcal portion of said second part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion ofan adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of said second part.

7. A cartridge belt link of the character cooperating with other similar links to form a disintegrating cartridge belt comprising a first par-t having a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuatetrack and an arcuate resilient cartridge gripping member longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion for holding a cartridge extending thereacross, said cartridgegripping member having an open portion facing in the same direction as said semicylindrical' portion thereby to permit a cartridge to be laterally stripped from the link, a second part also having a substantiallysemicylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of said parts facing'in the same direction, one of said parts including a pair of longitudinal slots adjacent one edge of itssemicylindrical portion and the other of said parts including a pair of tongues terminating in outwardly projecting lugs, at least one of said tongues being resiliently formed, said tongues extending through said slots and said lugsengaging said one part adjacent said longitudinal slots to connect said parts together, said resilient tongue biasing said tongues into contact with the edges of said slots for resiliently restraining relative' twisting .movement of said parts, and said internal track bein of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portion of said second part whereby said internal ack i adapted to receive in nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion-of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portionof said second partand said internal track and .the nesting portion are rotatable within each other.

=8. A cartridge belt link of the character cooperating with other similar links to form a disintegrating cartridge belt comprising a first part having a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track and a .pair of resilient fingers longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion for gripping a cartridge extending thereacross, said fingers tovgether having an arcuate extent of greater than one hundred and eighty degrees and defining an open space between their ends facing in the same direction as the open space of said semicylindrical portion thereby to permit a cartridge to be laterally stripped from the link, a second part also having a substantially semi-cylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of said parts facing in the same direction, one of said parts including a pair ot longitudinal slots adjacent one edge of its semicylindrical portion and the other of said parts including a pair of tongues terminating in outwardly projecting lugs, at least one of said tongues being resiliently formed, said tongues extending through said slots and said lugs .en gaging said one part adjacent said longitudinal .slots to-connect said partstogethensaid resilient tongue biasing said tongues into contact with the edgcs'of said-slots for resilientlyrestraining rela tive twisting movement of said parts, and said internal track being of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portion of said-second part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of said second part and said internal track-and the nesting portion are rotatable within each other.

9. A cartridge belt link of the character c.0- operating with other similar links to form. a

disintegrating cartridge belt comprising a first part having a substantially semicylindrioal portion forming an internal arcuate track, an arcuate resilient cartridge gripping member longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion at one end thereof and an arcuate resilient cartridge gripping member longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion at the other end thereof for holding a cartridge extending across said semicylindricalportion,

each of said cartridge gripping members having open portion facing in the same-direction as the open portion of said semicylindrical Portion thereby to permit a cartridge to be laterally stripped from the link,-a second part also having a substantially semicylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions ofsaid parts facing in the same direction, one of said parts including a pair of longitudinal slots adjacent one edge of its semicylindrical portion and the other of said parts including a pair or tongues terminating in outwardly projecting lugs, at least one of said tongues being resiliently formed, .saidtongues-extendingthrough said slots and said lugs-engaging said one part adjacent said longitudinal slots to'connect said parts together, said resilient tonguebiasing said tongues :into contact with the edges of said slots for resiliently restraining relative twisting movement of said parts, and said internal track beingof sub- 7 stantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portion of said second part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in .nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of said second part and said internal track and the nesting portion are rotatable within each other.

10. A cartridge belt link of the character cooperating with other similar links to form a disintegrating cartridge belt comprising a first part having a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track, an arcuate resilient cartridge gripping member longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion at one end thereof, an arcuate resilient cartridge gripping-member longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion at the other end thereof for holding a cartridge across said semicylindrical portion, and means associated with the latter member for positively preventing longitudinal movement of a cartridge held thereby, each of said cartridge gripping members having an open portion facing in the same direction as the open portion of said semicylindrical portion, thereby to permit a cartridge to be laterally stripped from the link, a second part also having a substantially semicylindrical por, tion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of said parts facing in the same 7 5 direction, one of said parts including a pair or longitudinal slots adjacent one edge of its :semicylindrical portionand the other of said parts including a pair of tongues terminating in outwardly projecting lugs, at least one of said tongues being resiliently formed, said tongues extendingthrough said slots and said lugs engaging said one part adjacent said longitudinal slots to'connect said parts together, said resilient tongue biasing said tongues into contact with the 'edges 'of'said slots for resiliently restraining relative twisting movement of said parts, and said internal track being of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the'semicylindrical portion of said second part'whereby said internal track isadapted to receive in nesting relationshp the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of said second-part and said internaltrack and the nesting portion'are rotatable 'within each other. 1

11. A cartridge-belt link of the'character cooperating with other similar' links to form a disintegrating cartridge' belt comprising a first part having a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track, an arcuate resilient cartridge grippingmember longitudi na lly spaced from said semicylindrical portion for holding'a cartridge extending thereacross and means 'associateduwith said gripping -member for positively preventing longitudinal movement of a cartridge held thereby; said cartridge gripping member having'an open portion facing in the same direction asthe open portion of said semicylindrical portion, thereby to permit a cartridge to be laterally stripped from the link, a second part also having a substantially semicylindrical portion disposed alongside said'first part with the open portions of said parts facing in the-same direction, one of said p'arts including a pairof longitudinal slots adjacent one edge of its semicylindrical portion and the other' of "said parts including a'p'air 'of tongues terminating in outwardly projectinglugs, at least one of said tongues being resiliently formed, said-tongues extending through'said-slots and said lugs engaging'said one part adjacent said longitudinal 'slots to connect'said' parts together, said resilient tongue biasing said tongues into contact with the'edges of said slots for resiliently restraining relative twisting movement of said parts, and said internal track being of substantially the same diameteras the diameter of the semicylindrical portion of said second part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of said second partand said internal trackand the nesting portion are rotatable within each other. A i a i 12. A cartridge b'elt'link of thechar'acter cooperating with other similar links to form a disintegrating cartridge belt comprising a first part having a substantially"semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track, an arcuate resilient cartridge gripping member longitudi nally spaced from said semicylindrical portion at one end thereof, a pair of resilient gripping tongues longitudinally spaced frornsaid semicylindrical portion at the other end thereof for holding a cartridge extending acro'sssaid semicylindrical portion, and means for positively preventing longitudinal movement of' a cartridge held thereby, said gripping tongues together having an arcuate extent greater than one hundred and eightydegrees and defining an 14 open space between their ends facing in the same direction as the open spaces of said gripping member and said semicylindricalmember, thereby to permit a cartridge to be laterally stripped from the link, a second part also having a substantially semicylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of said parts facing in the same direction, one of said parts includinga pair oflongitudinal slots adjacent one edge of its semicylindrical portion and the other of said parts including a pair of tongues terminating in outwardly projecting lug-s, at least one of said tongues being resiliently formed, said tongues extending through said slots and said lugs engaging said one part adjacent said longitudinal slots to connect said parts together, said resilient tongue biasing said tongues into contact with the edges of said slots for resiliently restraining relative twisting movement of said parts, and said internal track being of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portion of said second part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of said second part and said internal track and the nesting portion are rotatable within each other.

13. A cartridge belt link of the character 00- operating with other similar links to form a disintegrating cartridge belt comprising a first part having a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track, an arcuate resilient cartridge gripping member longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion at one end thereof, a pair of resilient gripping tongues longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion at the other end thereof and an inwardly directed lug associated with each of said togues and an inwardly directed lug between said first mentioned lugs for positively preventing longitudinal movement of a gripped cartridge, said gripping tongues together and said arcuate resilient gripping'member each having arcuate extents of greater than one hundred and eighty degrees for holding a cartridge extending across said semicylindrical portion and having openings facing in the same direction as the open spaces of said semicylindrical member, thereby to permit a cartridge to be laterally stripped from the link, a second part also having a substantially semicylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of said parts facing in the same direction, one of said partsincluding a pair of longitudinal slots adjacent one edge of its semicylindrical portion and the other of said parts including a pair of tongues terminating in outwardly projecting lugs, at least one of said tongues being resiliently formed, said tongues extending through said slots and said lugs engaging said one part adjacent said longitudinal slots to connect said parts together, said resilient tongue biasing said tongues into contact with the edges of said slots for resiliently restraining relative twisting movement of said parts, and said internal track being of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portion of said second part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of said second part and said internal track and the nesting portion are rotatable within each other. v

'14. Acartridgeibelt :link of the characterlcdoperating. with other similar links to iorm a disintegrating cartridge belt. comprising a first part having a substantially .semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track, an arcuate resilient cartridge gripping member longitudinally spaced from said 'semicylindrical portion atone end thereof, and another arcuate resilient cartridge gripping member longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion at the other end thereof for holding a cartridge extending across said seniicylindrical memben-said resilient cartridge gripping members and said semicylin- .drical member having open spaces facing in'the same direction, thereby to permit a cartridge to .be laterally strippedirom the link; said other resilient cartridge gripping member being connected to said semicylindrical member by .a bridging member at the oppositerside of ,said semicylindrical-portion than the opening therein for engagementby a lateral stripper, a second part also having a substantially semicylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with: the

open portions of said parts facing in the same 7 direction, one of said parts includinga pair of longitudinal slots adjacent one edgeof itssemiedgesof said slots for resiliently restraining relative twisting movement of said parts, and said internal track- ,being of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylin-drical portion of said second partwhereby said internal track is adapted to receive innesting relationship thesemicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical. portion of said second part and said internal track and the nesting portion are rotatable within each other.

15.- .A cartridge belt link of the character cooperating with other similar links liQfGTlH a disintegrating cartridge belt comprising a first part having a substantially semicylindrical portion iorrning an internal ,arcuatetrack, a pair of resilient fingers longitudinally spaced from said seniicylindrical portion at one end thereof, a pair of resilient tongues longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion .at the other end thereof, said pair of fingers andsaid pair of tongues each having arcuate extents of greater than one hundred and eighty degrees .for gripping a cartridge extending across said semicylindrical portion and the ends .of said tongues and said fingers defininglopenings facing inv the same direction as the opening of said semicyiindrical portion, thereby to permit a cartridge to be latera'lly' stripped from the link, reach of said fingers and said tongues being provided with an outwardly projecting lug, a second part also having a 'substantially semicylindrical portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of said parts facing in the same direction, said first part including a pair of longitudinal slots adjacent one edge of its semicylindrical portion and said second part including a pair .01" tongues terminating in outwardly projecting lugs, at least cneof which is resiliently formed, the tongues of said-second part extending through said slots and lugs-thereof engaging said one part adjacent said longitudinal slots to connect said parts together,

16 the resilient. tongue ofi said second part biasing the tongues of said second part into-contact with the edges of .said slots for resiliently restraining relative twisting movement of said parts, said internalitrack ibeingof substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portion .ofsaidsecond part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in' nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion of 'an adjacent link corresponding to i the Isemicylindrical portion: of said second part and said internal track and the nesting portion arer'otatable within each other.

16. A cartridge belt link of: the character cooperating with othersimilar links to form a disintegrating cartridge :belt comprising a first part having a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track and an arcuate resilient cartridge gripping member longitudinally spaced from said 'semicylindri'cal portion for bolding a cartridge extending thereacross, said cartridge gripping member having" an open portion facing in the same direction as'said semicylindrlcal portion thereby'to permit .a cartridge be laterally stripped from the link, a second part also having a substantially :semicylindrical: portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of said partsfacing in :the same direction, said first part includingia pair of longitudinal slots adjacent one edge'of its semicylindrical portionandthe second'part includin a pair of tongues terminating .in outwardly 'projecting lugs, at least one of said;tongues being resiliently formed, said tongues extending through said slots and said'lugsqengaging said'first part adjacent said longitudinal-slots to connect said parts together, said resilient tongue biasing said tongues into; contact with-the edges of said .slots for resiliently rest-raining relative, twisting movement of said parts, said internal tra-ckcbeing'of substantially the same diameter asthediameter .of the semicylindrical portion of said second-part whereby said internal track is adapted toreceive in nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of said second partand said internal track and {the nesting portion are rotatable within each other, the vsemicyllndrical portion of said first part including :a slot extendiing around a portion thereof beginning atthe edge opposite to that having said longitudinal slots for receiving the corresponding tongues .of an adjacent link during rotation of said adjacent link in one direction.

17. A cartridge belt link of' the character cooperati-ngwith other similar links toiform a disintegrating cartridge beltcomprising a first part having a substantially semicylindrical portion forming an internal arcuate track, a pairof resilient fingers longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical' portion at one end thereof,- a .pair ofresilient tongues longitudinally spaced from said semicylindrical portion at the other end thereof, said pair of fingers and said pair of tongues havingarcuate extents of greater than one hundred and eighty degrees for gripping a cartridge-extending across said semi-cylindrical portion and the ends of :said fingers and said tongues defining openings facing in the "same direction theopening of said semicylindrical portion, thereby to permit a cartridge to be laterally "stripped from the link, a sec-0nd part also having a substantiallysemicylindrica-l portion disposed alongside said first part with the open portions of said parts facing in the same direction, said first part including a pair of longitudinal slots adjacent one edge of its semicylinsubstantial distance around the semicylindrical portion of said second part and attached thereto at one end, a flat finger extending from said resilient tongue at the other end, a second flat finger also extending from the semicylindrical portion of said second part, and a lug extending outwardly from each of said two flat fingers, said two flat fingers extending through said slots whereby said lugs engage said first part adjacent said slots to connect said parts, said resilient tongue biasing said flat fingers into contact with the edges of said slots to resiliently restrain relative twisting movement of said parts, said internal track being of substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the semicylindrical portion of said second part whereby said internal track is adapted to receive in nesting relationship the semicylindrical portion of an adjacent link corresponding to the semicylindrical portion of 18 said second part and said internal track and the nesting portion are rotatable within each other.

ROY S. SANFORD. WHILIAM J. ANDRES.

REFERENQES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,022,685 Moore Dec. 3, 1935 2,173,837 Gorton Sept. 26, 1939 2,373,288 Becker Apr. 10, 1945 2,390,331 Sanford Dec. 4, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 440,005 Great Britain Dec. 18, 1935' 470,609 Great Britain Aug. 18, 1937 

